Bharuch: A group of people from Paniyadra village clashed with police over illegal water connection and related issues in Bharuch district of Central Gujarat today afternoon. Police lobbed tear gas shells to control the agitating group which was holding protest programme outside the unit of private company UPL.

Some people of Paniyadra village had taken illegal water connection from a pipeline of UPL company in Dahej. The company had asked village people to disconnect the pipeline and stop drawing company’s water which was purchased by company from Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). As the villagers refused to disconnect an illegal connection, the company asked GIDC to stop water supply in pipeline.

Some villagers in reaction to this move, allegedly threatened the company officials for which Dahej Police booked three persons in response to complaint filed by UPL company’s HR manager Vinod Patel.

According to complaint, person from Padariya and Paniyarda village broke a pipeline and connected two pipes to draw ater. The company had asked Ranjitbhai from Paniyadra village for talk over this issue. Ranjitbhai came with Padariya village’s Bhuptabhai and one more person. The company has alleged that when asked to disconnect illegal water pipelines, three villagers issued threat to company. When the company asked GIDC to stop water supply to company, Ranjit allegedly called Nathabhai Dodiya of company’s CSR department and issued threat of murder.

A group of villagers, probably beneficiaries of illegal water connections today started agitation outside the company plant. After a clash, police lobbed tear gas shells and also detained those found in violation of law.

Meanwhile the locals claimed that the company which is located at 4 km distance from the village, had through CSR fund built a school shade in the village and made announcement that more development works will be done. As there was shortage of water in village, the villagers claimed they collected fund and spent around Rs. 12 lakh for pipeline to draw water from UPL company’s main pipeline. When informed, UPL company however refused to supply water. The villagers protested this and threatened blockade on Dahej road.